Does Certification of Corporate Governance Compliance Pay Off? Evidence from a Unique Regulatory Setting

Abdus Sobhan*, Sudipta Bose, Muhammad Shahin Miah, Rushdi Md. Rezaur Razzaque

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)
152 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Research Questions/Issues
Using insights from agency and signaling theories, we examine the effect on companies' market-based performance of a unique monitoring mechanism of compliance with a corporate governance (CG) code, that is, independent certification of compliance with a CG code and type of certification provider. Furthermore, we examine the impact of two boundary conditions, family company status and company-level information asymmetry, influencing the effect of independent CG compliance certification and type of certification provider on the market-based performance of companies.

Research Findings/Insights
Based on 1110 Bangladeshi company-year observations from 2006 to 2017, we firstly find that independent CG compliance certification is positively associated with companies' market-based performance. Secondly, we show that CG compliance certification by a chartered secretarial firm is related to higher market-based performance. Thirdly, we document that family companies attenuate both these associations. Finally, we find that, while company-level information asymmetry reinforces the association between CG compliance certification and market-based performance, it weakens the relationship between certification by a chartered secretarial firm and companies' market-based performance.

Theoretical/Academic Implications
Our findings are consistent with the agency and signaling theory that independent certification of CG compliance and this certification by a chartered secretarial firm reduce information asymmetry between managers and external investors by signaling enhanced credibility of reported CG compliance information. However, the roles of CG compliance certification and certification by a chartered secretarial firm to reduce agency conflict and provide credible signals are conditional on two boundary conditions: family company status and company-level information asymmetry.

Practitioner/Policy Implications
This study's findings highlight the economic implications of a unique mechanism for monitoring compliance with an adopted CG code. The findings have significant implications for policy makers and regulators in emerging economies.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)670-702
Number of pages33
JournalCorporate Governance: An International Review
Volume32
Issue number4
Early online date20 Oct 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Jul 2024

Keywords

  • certification of compliance
  • chartered secretarial firm
  • corporate governance
  • emerging economy
  • market-based performance of companies

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